The briefing said it would cost about $15 million to provide sidewalks and street improvements, which could also make the area more attractive for redevelopment.

"First the city has to do something to make it better," Billy Wade said.

The neighborhood is also near a DART Rail station, the Dallas Veterans Administration Hospital, a Dallas Police Substation and the University of North Texas at Dallas campus.

"If you go there and look at it, the opportunity is so great, the terrain, the elevation, everything is there to make something worthwhile, to be part of the city of Dallas. We've just got to find the money to enhance this development," Atkins said.

"I’m going to keep a wait and see attitude and see what’s going to happen," said Joyce Wade.